Much to some Astros’ chagrin at times, responses to our blogs and to message boards help give us a pulse to what fans are feeling. Fans demand answers, and it’s a sportswriter’s job to ask the important questions that you guys want to know.

Last week, I praised Phil Garner for intentionally walking Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard to lead off with the score tied in the ninth. Therefore, nobody can call me a hypocrite when I tell you Garner failed his team miserably by not walking Albert Pujols to walk the bases loaded in the ninth Tuesday night.

If you’re going to walk the bases loaded on Monday in the fourth inning to avoid Scott Spiezio, you better walk the bases loaded against the 2005 NL MVP who just happens to have a tremendous track record of killing your club and has somehow managed to see the ball well lately against your closer.

Yes, Brad Lidge made the pitch. He took full responsibility, but if I’m the manager I would have liked my chances with Lidge against any other Cardinal with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth. After all, star St. Louis slugger Scott Rolen had been ejected earlier in the game and no longer was the threat behind Pujols.

Several mistakes were made Tuesday night. Pitching to Pujols in the ninth merely won the game for the Cardinals.

In defense of the Astros, though, I guarantee you Mr. Drayton McLane cares about the fans’ input. Rest assured he will provide a better team next season. Also, remember that McLane’s payroll is nearly $106 million. Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi, whom many Astros fans now want to manage Houston next season, might lead the Marlins to the wild card with a payroll at about $15 million.

So even if some of you would say the Astros’ payroll is inflated because Jeff Bagwell isn’t playing, you cannot argue that even taking away Bagwell’s salary the Astros’ payroll is still among the highest in baseball.